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Pitman Public School District Seeks Input on Communication Effectiveness

Pitman, NJ – The Pitman Public School District is seeking the community’s input on the district’s communications. Beginning next week, the District will begin to seek feedback from district staff, parents of students, and community members on how they receive information and whether they consider the communication to be effective.

The communication surveys are conducted online in a secure portal and take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

They can be accessed on the district’s website.

Questions revolve primarily around the district’s communication mechanisms, the effectiveness of communications in key areas of importance to each audience, and whether the communication is considered to be accurate, timely and trustworthy.

Participants can access the surveys on desktop computers, laptops as well as most tablets and smartphones.

The surveys are available in both English and Spanish and participation is completely anonymous.

The online portal will open on November 2nd and constituents will have until November 15th to participate. Because the reliability of the results increases with the percentage of people taking the surveys, participation is significant. “We strongly encourage everyone to take the time to give us this extremely important feedback,” urges Dr. Patrick McAleer, superintendent of Pitman Public School District.

About Pitman Public School District

Located in Gloucester County, the Pitman Public School District serves approximately 1,250 students in Prekindergarten through 12th grade.

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Bright Side Education

Medford-Vincentown Rotary Selects Local Resident for “Coles Roberts Humanitarian Grant”


Erin Hartman is pictured with Medford-Vincentown Rotary President, Wally Burdalski and Rotarians Jonathon Dewees and David Stow. (Photo provided)

Medford, NJ – Erin Hartman of Medford, NJ has recently been selected for the Medford-Vincentown Rotary “Coles Roberts Humanitarian Grant.” Erin has recently been selected for a Marshall Scholarship from the United Kingdom, an honor given to only 50 scholars nationwide each year.

Erin is a graduate of Shawnee High School and the University of
Pennsylvania and has been serving as a full-time staff nurse and certified sexual assault forensic examiner in the Emergency Department of Weill Cornell’s Trauma Center at the Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, NY.

Erin will be studying in the United Kingdom for the next two years under the scholarship and receive a dual Masters from the University of Yorke and the London School of Business and Economics.

For more information on Medford-Vincentown Rotary visit www.MVRotaryclub.org

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Bright Side Education

Camden County Educational Services Commission Wins Communication Awards for Employee Wellness Campaign

Clementon, NJ – The Camden County Educational Services Commission (CCESC) earned two first-place awards in a statewide communications contest sponsored by the New Jersey School Public Relations Association (NJSPRA).

The awards were received in the marketing/branding and electronic newsletter categories. Both contest submissions were related to the #BeWellCCESC employee wellness campaign launched in September 2019.

This postcard was included in the wellness kits given to employees.

The NJSPRA communication contest recognizes school districts that go above and beyond to tell their school district’s stories. The CCESC is one of 19 school districts recognized for their outstanding work in school communications in 2020. Contest submissions were judged by a panel of school communicators, marketing professionals and communications professors throughout the county. Winners were announced during a virtual awards ceremony on Friday, October 16, 2020.

Last fall, the Camden County Educational Services Commission reinforced a commitment to their 150-plus employees with a wellness campaign. The campaign was kicked off at the start of the school year with every employee receiving a wellness kit. The kit included a variety of convenience items like a hand sanitizer pen, stress ball and water bottle that staff can keep at their desks or in their cars to stay healthy throughout the school year.

Wellness kits included a hand-sanitizer pen, stress ball, first-aid items, water bottle and more.

The initiative led to a small group of employees volunteering their time to plan events and share information focused on nutrition and wellness prior to the pandemic. During the pandemic, an employee newsletter was reinvented and distributed weekly with a wellness check-in, employee-created content and helpful resources for surviving the spring quarantine.

“When we launched the wellness initiative, we never could’ve anticipated that we’d be faced with a global pandemic six months later. Having a committee in place allowed us to continue supporting our employees during the pandemic with relevant and timely communications,” stated Daniel Del Vecchio, superintendent of Camden County Educational Services Commission.

“Internal communications with our employees is critical at all times, but especially during a global pandemic. Getting involved with the wellness committee last year helped me to create a foundation for internal communications that our employees needed once the pandemic hit. Our internal communications will continue to evolve as we survey the communication preferences of our employees this year. We don’t want to contribute our resources toward unnecessary communications that end up in someone’s trash folder,” said Lori Perlow, communications manager at the Camden County Educational Services Commission and president of the New Jersey School Public Relations Association.

Planning for this school year’s wellness activities is underway. With some employees working on-site and others working remotely, the Camden County Educational Services Commission’s Wellness Committee is tasked with developing an innovative plan to engage employees in meaningful wellness activities.

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Bright Side Education

N.J. Dept. of Agriculture Announces 168 Schools Offering Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

(TRENTON) – As part of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s continuing efforts to improve nutritional opportunities for school children, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today announced 168 New Jersey schools are participating in the 2020-2021 school year’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP).

The United States Department of Agriculture has allocated $4,691,210 to New Jersey for this school year’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, to provide fresh produce to almost 85,000 students in 14 counties during the school day.

The students also will receive nutrition education. It is the third straight year the number of schools participating has increased and the 168 is the highest number of schools in the program since it began in New Jersey in 2008.

The goal of the program is to introduce children to healthy foods, increase their fruit and vegetable consumption, and create improved lifelong dietary habits.

“The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program encourages students to try new offerings so they can develop healthy eating patterns that stay with them for a lifetime,” Secretary Fisher said. “This program has generated excitement and enthusiasm during meal times while creating a pathway for better food choices.”

Additional funds will be allocated to schools for connecting their FFVP with the Farm to School Program. The schools must provide Jersey Fresh produce a minimum of two days each month from September to November and from April to June and must verify where the produce was grown. Eighty-one percent of the 168 schools have agreed to link their FFVP and Farm to School Program.

Some of the criteria used in selecting the schools to participate in FFVP include: Elementary schools with 50 percent or more of their students eligible for free or reduced-price meals; schools that planned to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible; all students having access to the produce offered; and plans to partner with outside organizations to enhance nutrition education.

2020-2021 Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Schools

Atlantic County
Brighton Avenue School, Atlantic City
Chelsea Heights School, Atlantic City
Martin Luther King School, Atlantic City
New York Avenue School, Atlantic City
Pennsylvania Avenue School, Atlantic City
Richmond Avenue School, Atlantic City
Sovereign Avenue School, Atlantic City
Texas Avenue School, Atlantic City
Uptown Complex School, Atlantic City
Venice Park School, Atlantic City
Leeds Avenue School, Pleasantville
North Main Street School, Pleasantville
South Main Street School, Pleasantville
Washington Avenue School, Pleasantville

Camden County
Cramer Hill Mastery School, Camden
Cramer College Prepatory Lab School, Camden
Dr. Henry H. Davis Family School, Camden
H.B. Wilson Family School, Camden
Mastery McGraw Charter School, Camden
Mastery Molina Charter School Lower, Camden
Riletta Twyne Cream Family School, Camden
Uncommon Schools Camden Prep Mt. Ephraim Elementary, Camden
Wiggins College Prep School, Camden
Camden’s Pride Charter School, Camden’s Promise
KATZ Dalsey Charter School-Rosedale, Camden’s Promise
Holy Name School, Camden
KIPP Lanning Square Primary School, Camden
Lindenwold School #4, Lindenwold
Lindenwold School #5, Lindenwold
St Joseph’s Pro Cathederal School, Camden

Cape May County
Glenwood Avenue Annex School,Wildwood
Glenwood Avenue Elementary School, Wildwood

Cumberland County
Broad Street School, Bridgeton
Buckshutem Road School, Bridgeton
Cherry Street School, Bridgeton
Foster Early Childhood Center, Bridgeton
Indian Avenue School, Bridgeton
Quarter Mile Lane School, Bridgeton
West Avenue School, Bridgeton
Commercial Township School, Commercial Township
R.M. Bacon School, Millville
Silver Run School, Millville
Thunderbolt Academy, Millville
Dallago Early Childhood Center, Vineland
Gloria M. Sabater School, Vineland

Essex County
Benjamin Banneker Academy, East Orange
Cicely L. Tyson Elementary School, East Orange
Ecole Toussaint Louverture School, East Orange
Edward T. Bowser Elementary School, East Orange
Gordon Parks Academy, East Orange
Garfield Jackson Academy, East Orange
Langston Hughes Elementary School, East Orange
Mildred Barry Garvin School, East Orange
Dionne Warwick Institute, East Orange
Wahlstrom Early Childhood Academy, East Orange
Whitney Houston Academy, East Orange
Essex Junior Academy, Essex Regional Services
Florence Avenue School, Irvington
Grove Street School, Irvington
Mt. Vernon Avenue School, Irvington
Madrasatu Ahlis Sunnah School, East Orange
Maria L. Varisco Rogers Charter School, Newark
Marion P. Thomas Charter Performing Arts & Culinary Academy, Newark
Marion P. Thomas Charter STEAM Academy, Newark
Elliott Street School, Newark
Hawkins Street School, Newark
Rafael Hernandez School, Newark
South Street School, Newark
Sussex Avenue Renew School, Newark
Newark Educators Community Charter School, Newark
Life Academy Charter School, Newark
Seek Academy Charter School, Newark
Spark Academy Charter School, Newark
Thrive Academy Charter School, Newark
Washington Elementary School, West Orange

Hudson County
Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School, Jersey City
Hamilton School, Harrison
Gladys Cannon Nunery Public School #29, Jersey City
Joseph Brensinger Public School #17, Jersey City
Thomas A. Edison School, Union City
Robert Waters School, Union City
Public School #1, West New York
Public School #3, West New York
Public School #4, West New York
Public School #5, West New York
Public School #6, West New York

Mercer County
Greenwood Elementary School, Hamilton Township
Lalor Elementary School, Hamilton Township
Columbus School, Trenton
Franklin Elementary School, Trenton
Grant Elementary School, Trenton
Gregory Elementary School, Trenton
Harrison Elementary School, Trenton
Martin Luther King School, Trenton
Monument Elementary School, Trenton
Mott Elementary School, Trenton
Parker Elementary School, Trenton
Washington Elementary School, Trenton

Middlesex County
Nathan Hale School, Carteret
Anthony V. Ceres School, Perth Amboy
Edward J. Patten School, Perth Amboy
Ignacio Cruz Early Childhood Center, Perth Amboy
Richardson Elementary School, Perth Amboy
Robert J. Wilentz School, Perth Amboy
School #7 Early Childhood Center, Perth Amboy

Monmouth County
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, Asbury Park
Bradley Elementary School, Asbury Park
Amerigo A. Anastasia School, Long Branch
George L. Catrambone School, Long Branch
Gregory School, Long Branch
Lenna W. Conrow School, Long Branch
Morris Avenue School, Long Branch
Red Bank Primary School, Red Bank

Morris County
Academy Street Elementary School, Dover
East Dover Elementary School, Dover
North Dover Elementary School, Dover

Ocean County
Clifton Avenue Grade School, Lakewood
Lakewood Early Childhood Center 2, Lakewood
Oak Street School, Lakewood
Piner Elementary School, Lakewood
Spruce Street School, Lakewood
Hugh J. Boyd, Jr. Elementary School, Seaside Heights

Passaic County
Daniel F. Ryan School #19, Passaic
Etta Gero School #9, Passaic
Grant School #7, Passaic
Gifted & Talented Academy School #20 , Passaic
Pulaski School #8, Passaic
School #10 Annex, Passaic
School #9 Annex, Passaic
School #5, Passaic
School #5 Annex, Passaic
School #15, Passaic
School #15 Annex, Passaic
Passaic Arts & Science Charter Elementary School, Passaic
Passaic Arts & Science Charter Grades 4-8 School, Passaic
Paterson Charter School for Science & Technology K-1 Campus, Paterson
Paterson Arts & Science Charter School, Paterson
Public School # 2, Paterson
Public School # 3, Paterson
Public School # 5, Paterson
Public School # 8, Paterson
Charles J. Riley School # 9, Paterson
Public School # 15, Paterson
Public School # 16, Paterson
Public School #19, Paterson
Public School #24, Paterson
Martin Luther King School #30, Paterson
Philips Academy Charter School, Paterson

Salem County
Field Street School, Penns Grove-Carney’s Point
Paul W. Carleton School, Penns Grove-Carneys Point
John Fenwick Academy, Salem City
Salem School Grades 3-8 , Salem City

Union County
Benjamin Franklin School #15, Elizabeth
Charles J. Hudson School #25, Elizabeth
Christopher Columbus School #13, Elizabeth
Toussaint L’Ouverture De Lafayette School #6, Elizabeth
School #9 & #1, Elizabeth
Dr. Martin Luther King School #52, Elizabeth
John Marshall School #20, Elizabeth
Juan Pablo Duarte School #28, Elizabeth
Nicholas Murray Butler Annex School #23A, Elizabeth
Nicholas Murray Butler School #23, Elizabeth
Nicholas S. LaCorte School #3, Elizabeth
Charles Stillman Elementary School, Plainfield
DeWitt D. Barlow Elementary School, Plainfield
Evergreen Elementary School, Plainfield
Jefferson Elementary School, Plainfield
Harrison Elementary School, Roselle

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Education Feature Stories

WSFS Bank & WSFS Community Foundation Pledge $35,500 to Provide Hundreds of Technology Devices to Area Students for Online Learning

WSFS Bank, the primary subsidiary of WSFS Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: WSFS), recently announced a $35,500 pledge from the Bank and the WSFS Community Foundation to provide laptops, tablets and internet devices for students from low-to-moderate income families throughout the Bank’s footprint.

As the pandemic has impacted school plans and curriculums, and with many districts turning to virtual or hybrid learning methods to start the school year, the need for technology devices for students has increased.

The grants will be awarded to the following organizations and schools:

  • United Way of Delaware for students in New Castle and Sussex Counties (Delaware)
  • Independence Mission School (Philadelphia, Pa.)
  • Widener Partnership Charter School (Chester, Pa.)
  • KIPP School (Camden, NJ).

“During this time of the year, WSFS typically runs a school supply drive with our Associates giving hundreds of baskets of supplies to schools in the most underserved areas,” said Vernita L. Dorsey, Senior Vice President, Director of Community Strategy at WSFS Bank. “In the current environment, we understand technology is the most needed school supply to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in online learning. For WSFS, it was the right thing to do, at the right time. This initiative aligns  with the WSFS Community Foundation’s mission and our commitment to serve and help those in need in our communities to live a good life.”

“Delaware, like the majority of the country, has experienced challenges in ensuring children from vulnerable communities have access to the tools necessary to navigate virtual learning in their homes,” said Michelle A. Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Delaware. “Many families are not in the position to secure the technology necessary for distance learning. Thanks to WSFS, we’ve been able to galvanize resources to place devices in the hands of families that need them most.”

“We are so grateful for the generosity of partners like WSFS Bank and their commitment to the continued education of Camden students during this time,” said Drew Martin, Executive Director of KIPP New Jersey. “Now, more than ever, having access to technology is critical and this donation helps ensure our students have the tools they need to start the school year strong.”   

The WSFS Community Foundation previously provided $300,000 in grants to 21 local nonprofits engaged in the fight against COVID-19. In addition, WSFS Bank provided a $200,000 donation to four community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to utilize for relief grants to help accelerate recovery efforts of local small businesses within the Bank’s footprint.

About the WSFS Community Foundation
The WSFS Community Foundation focuses on supporting quality public education grades K-12, health and human service programs for the homeless and needy, economic and business growth, and art education. Grants are awarded for initiatives that are innovative, creative, sustainable and replicable.

About WSFS Financial Corporation
WSFS Financial Corporation is a multi-billion-dollar financial services company. Its primary subsidiary, WSFS Bank, is the oldest and largest locally managed bank and trust company headquartered in Delaware and the greater Philadelphia region. As of June 30, 2020, WSFS Financial Corporation had $13.6 billion in assets on its balance sheet and $20.8 billion in assets under management and administration.

WSFS operates from 115 offices, 90 of which are banking offices, located in Pennsylvania (54), Delaware (43), New Jersey (16), Virginia (1) and Nevada (1) and provides comprehensive financial services including commercial banking, retail banking, cash management and trust and wealth management.

Other subsidiaries or divisions include Arrow Land Transfer, Cash Connect®, Cypress Capital Management, LLC, Christiana Trust of Delaware, NewLane Finance, Powdermill Financial Solutions, West Capital Management, WSFS Institutional Services, WSFS Mortgage, and WSFS Wealth Investments.

Serving the greater Delaware Valley since 1832, WSFS Bank is one of the ten oldest banks in the United States continuously operating under the same name. For more information, please visit www.wsfsbank.com.